Mazda calls its 2008 Mazda5 a midsize wagon, but let's be frank. Just look at it. You see the same thing I do - a minivan.
Dual-sliding doors, three-row seating and classic mom-mobile styling cues are a dead giveaway. There's only one difference. The Mazda5 is a "compact" minivan. Personally, I think it's a brilliant idea.
The Mazda5 might be lonely as it stands by itself in a market niche occupied by no one else. Being a compact minivan might not be such a bad thing. It makes sense. People are scaling back. Consumer economic pressures of fuel costs, rising grocery bills and credit card debt have been putting pressure on automakers.
Being compact does have limitations. I think the Mazda5 can be too limiting with its small size for families with more than two young children. However, two children can fit nicely in either the second or third rows while leaving space for carrying groceries or other cargo. The second and third rows fold completely flat for transporting longer objects.
The 2008 Mazda5 comes in three trims: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring.
Powering the 2008 Mazda5 is one engine offering, the 16-valve, 2.3-liter four-cylinder with variable valve timing.
My tester was the Grand Touring model with 17-inch wheels and tires, optional navigation system and satellite radio for an as-tested price of $25,480. The nicely equipped Mazda5 includes as standard features rain-sensing windshield wipers, fog lights, leather-trimmed seats, automatic climate control, heated door mirrors, automatic headlights, security alarm and the Bluetooth hands-free phone system. These are all things you will get in a $40,000 top-of-the-line minivan. You just won't get the cubic feet volume in space with the Mazda5. There are trade-offs in scaling down.
The 2008 Mazda5 model has received an exterior makeover in the headlight, grille, front end and taillight design.
